Method for increasing seed yield or biomass by expressing RNA binding proteins in transgenic plants

US8455719B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• CropDesign N.V. · BE

Inventors

• Valerie Frankard · Lessines, BE
• Christophe Reuzeau · Châlons-en-Champagne, FR
• Ana Isabel Sanz Molinero · Gentbrugge, BE

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 16, 2005
• Grant date: Jun 4, 2013
• Expiry date: Jul 10, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02A40/146
• WIPO field: Biotechnology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The invention concerns a method for improving growth characteristics of plants by increasing activity in a plant of an RNA-binding protein, which is: (i) a polypeptide having RNA-binding activity and comprising 2 or 3 RNA recognition motifs (RRMs) and a motif having at least 75% identity to motif I: PYEAAVVALPVVVKERLVRILRLGIATRYD (SEQ ID NO: 12) and/or a motif having at least 50% identity to motif II: RFDPFTGEPYKFDP (SEQ ID NO: 13); or (ii) an RBP1 polypeptide having (a) RNA-binding activity; (b) two RRM domains, (c) the following two motifs: (i) KIFVGGL (SEQ ID NO: 41); and (ii) RPRGFGF (SEQ ID NO: 42), allowing for up to three amino acid substitutions and any conservative change in the motifs; and (d) having at least 20% identity to SEQ ID NO: 15. Also provided is transgenic plants introduced with an RNA-binding protein-encoding nucleic acid having improved growth characteristics and constructs useful in the methods.